In this experiential exhibition, making its debut in Japan following a tour around the world, you’ll use a special tablet called a HistoPad to travel through time. Your journey will take you from the construction of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral to the present day. As you walk around the venue, designed to make you feel as if you were inside the cathedral itself, you can immerse yourself in digital content that takes you from the cathedral’s construction, through the coronation of Napoleon I, and to the present and the currently ongoing restoration work. The Japan stop of the tour brings with it additional special content exclusive to this exhibition.
The Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, a World Heritage Site built on the Île de la Cité in Paris about 800 years ago, is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. This historical symbol of Paris suffered severe damage in a fire on April 15th, 2019, after which experts from various fields came together to restore it within a tight deadline: five years. This process utilized a combination of advanced technology, such as drones and CG analysis, and more traditional techniques, honed by craftspeople skilled in the restoration of architecture and artwork.
The exhibition has toured the world with the aim of helping guests experience the history of the Cathedral and learn the importance of preserving cultural assets, using the HistoPad to show how modern technology is helping the cathedral regain its light. The exhibition in Tokyo also coincides with the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris to the public in December 2024.
Original Content for the Tokyo Exhibition
In restoring the cathedral, it was essential to combine the techniques of the time with modern technologies to preserve the original appearance and structure of Notre Dame Cathedral for the future. The Miraikan exhibition brings the debut of a new Time Portal highlighting the cutting-edge technologies used to achieve this goal. It also features an added, post-HistoPad Experience station with models of the cathedral before and after the fire that visitors can touch to get a tactical understanding of the damage, as well as of The Stryge and The Virgin and Child, two famous sculptures displayed in the Cathedral. All of these models come with explanations written in Braille to accommodate the visually impaired.
Explore the History of Notre Dame with Time Portals
Twenty-one Time Portals linked to the past are positioned around the venue. When you hold the HistoPad up to them, it will transport you to an interactive scene from the associated period. From its founding in 1160 to its restoration after the 2019 fire, embark on a journey through space and time as the HistoPad guides you through the cathedral’s rich history.
Examples of Selected Time Portals
The Imperial Coronation
Napoleon's coronation ceremony was held in the Cathedral, using decorations to conceal the damage caused to it by the French Revolution. This Time Portal describes the ambitions of the new emperor and the complicated political situation of the time in an immersive 360-degree reproduction of the painting of the coronation.
Worksite Innovations
This Time Portal makes its debut in the Tokyo exhibition, focusing on the restoration of the cathedral from a scientific perspective. Videos and illustrations explain how all the latest technologies, including the latest simulations and specially developed robots, were used to optimize the restoration process. It shows the techniques that enabled the restoration and reinforcement of Notre Dame's signature architectural elements, including the fire-damaged spire and the roof’s wooden structure, nicknamed “the forest.”
Exhibition Overview
Title: Special Exhibition "— NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS THE AUGMENTED EXHIBITION —"
Period: November 6, 2024 - February 24, 2025
Closed days: Tuesdays (open on February 11), and December 28 - January 1
Venue: "Special Exhibition Zone a" 1F,
Miraikan
Organizer: Miraikan,The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
Co-host: Nikkei Inc.
Special Sponsor: L’Oréal Japan
Photos (From the left):
1. key visual ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
2. The new Time Portal unveiled at the Tokyo exhibition ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
3. Touchable Exhibition Virgin of Paris & The Stryge ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
4. Explore the History of Notre Dame ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
5. The Coronation of Napoleon (HistoPad screen) ©Histovery
6. Explanation of the Roof Framework (HistoPad screen) ©Histovery
7. A View of The Venue ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
8. A View of The Venue ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
9. A View of The Venue ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
10. A View of The Venue ©The Notre-Dame de Paris Exhibit Production Committee
